The Grand Adventure: What grandparents can learn from football coaches

Published 12:31 pm, Thursday, November 8, 2012

Football season is a favorite time of year at our house. We go to high school games (with our grand darlings, their busy schedules permitting) and cheer collegiate favorites, either in person or in front of the television.

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From then on, I was a fan, and when networks began televising collegiate games, I was there to watch the talents of John David Crow at A&M playing SMU in 1955, and others whose names I no longer remember. Drill team gave me a front row seat at local gridiron face-offs and, one way or another, we managed seats at the Cotton Bowl on New Year's Day. That's where, in 1964, I saw a player named Roger Staubach, playing for No. 2 Navy, go down in defeat to the No. 1 Longhorns.

In keeping with football season (the high school playoffs will be under way by the time this column is printed), I wanted to share these quotes from some football coaches who spent some or all of their careers in Texas, inspiring and motivating young people. As I hope you'll find, many are worth repeating to our next generations:

Paul "Bear" Bryant, a coaching legend who spent time on the Texas A&M sidelines and put a few early teams through a tough "boot camp," (there's a book called the "Junction Boys") had many quotable moments that might offer grandparents some inspiration:

"If you believe in yourself and have dedication and pride - and never quit - you'll be a winner. The price of victory is high but so are the rewards."

"In life, you'll have your back up against the wall many times. You might as well get used to it."

"You take those little rascals, talk to them good, pat them on the back, let them think they are good, and they will go out and beat the big 'uns."

"I think the most important thing of all for any team is a winning attitude."

"Little things make the difference. Everyone is well prepared in the big things, but only the winners perfect the little things."

"When you make a mistake, there are only three things you should ever do about it: 1. Admit it. 2. Learn from it, and 3. Don't repeat it."